National Central Library (Florence) facts for kids
The National Central Library in Florence, Italy, is a super important place for books! It's one of Italy's two main national libraries, and it's actually the biggest library in the whole country. Think of it like a giant treasure chest for all the books ever published in Italy. Why? Because by law, a copy of every single book, magazine, and even music published in Italy has to be sent here. This makes sure that future generations can always read and learn from everything that's been created.
Contents
What is a National Library?
A national library is not like your school library or a public library where you borrow books. Instead, it's a special library that collects and keeps a copy of every book, newspaper, and other publication made in its country. It's like a giant memory bank for a nation's written history and culture. These libraries help researchers, students, and anyone interested in learning about their country's past and present. They also protect these important documents for a very long time.
History of the Library
How it Started
The National Central Library of Florence has a long and interesting history. It began in 1714 when a man named Antonio Magliabechi, who was a famous scholar, left his huge collection of about 30,000 books to the city of Florence. This collection became the first part of what was then called the "Magliabechiana" library. It was open to everyone who wanted to read and learn, which was quite unusual for libraries back then.
Becoming a National Library
Over time, the library grew bigger and more important. In 1861, after Italy became a united country, the library was renamed the National Library. It was then combined with another important library in Florence, the Palatine Library. This made it even larger and more significant. In 1870, a very important rule was made: a copy of every book published in Italy had to be sent to this library. This rule is called "legal deposit," and it's why the library has such a huge collection today.
The Current Building
For many years, the library was housed in different places. But as its collection grew, it needed a much bigger home. So, a new building was planned and built especially for the library. This large, modern building was finished in 1935. It's located right next to the Arno river in Florence, near the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce. The building was designed to hold millions of books and provide space for many readers and researchers.
What's Inside the Library?
The National Central Library holds an incredible amount of material. It has millions of books, magazines, newspapers, and even ancient manuscripts.
- Books: There are over 6 million books! These include everything from very old, rare books to the newest ones published today.
- Manuscripts: The library has many precious handwritten documents, some dating back hundreds of years. These are unique and very valuable.
- Newspapers and Magazines: It keeps copies of almost every newspaper and magazine ever published in Italy. This is great for people studying history or current events.
- Music and Maps: The collection also includes old musical scores and detailed maps.
Special Collections
The library has some truly unique and special collections.
Magliabechi's Original Books
You can still find many of the original books that Antonio Magliabechi donated centuries ago. These books are a direct link to the library's beginnings.
Rare Manuscripts
Among its most famous items are manuscripts like the Gian Galeazzo Visconti Breviary, which is a beautifully illustrated prayer book from the late 1300s. It has amazing drawings by artists like Giovannino de' Grassi. These are like ancient works of art!
The 1966 Flood
In November 1966, Florence experienced a terrible flood when the Arno river overflowed its banks. The National Central Library was hit very hard. The lower floors, where many books and valuable documents were stored, were completely submerged in mud and oil-filled water.
It was a huge disaster, and millions of books were damaged. People from all over the world, known as "mud angels," came to Florence to help clean and restore the damaged books. It took many years of hard work to save and repair the precious collection. This event showed how important the library's collection is to the world.
Why is it Important?
The National Central Library of Florence is important for many reasons:
- Preserving History: It keeps a complete record of Italy's written culture, making sure that future generations can learn from the past.
- Research: It's a vital place for students, historians, and researchers who need access to a vast amount of information.
- Cultural Heritage: It protects and shares Italy's rich cultural heritage with the world.
It's not just a building full of books; it's a living archive that helps us understand Italy's journey through time.
Images for kids
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Arno river facade
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The library beside Santa Croce
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The rotunda
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The distribution hall
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The catalogues room
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The reading room
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Giovannino de' Grassi, The eternal and the hermits, from the Gian Galeazzo Visconti Breviary.
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Giovannino de' Grassi, Marriage of the Virgin, from the Gian Galeazzo Visconti Breviary.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Nacional Central de Florencia para niños
